You really shouldn't spend a year in Oklahoma without saturating yourself in the Red Earth Festival. Oklahoma, many know, stands for "Home of the Red Man." But alas, there aren't many venues and events in either of the two big towns (Tulsa and Oklahoma City) that have attraction showcasing live Native American Indian events. Red Earth is one of the... More

In a good sense, Red Earth never seems to be for tourists. Instead it is a time of fellowship for native peoples at which non-Indians are welcome to listen and absorb. When multiple drum groups are playing during each day's grand entry, it can seem as if you're experiencing the pulsing of the heart of the earth.

Now this is the way to appreciate the American Indian and his heritage.

I was looking forward to introducing my young son to the practices of the native people of Oklahoma. I don't know why I expected it to be more authentic, but I did. The costumes, while beautiful, were mostly made of synthetic fabrics and feathers, including sequined swatches. Somehow I doubt the Native Americans had access to sequined fabric. The food... More